Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A personal assistant device configured to control companion devices, comprising: a memory configured to maintain a companion device library including a plurality of companion devices each associated with at least one long-name, short-cut name, and companion device room location; a processor configured to: receive a user command from a microphone; extract a companion device name and action from the user command; determine whether the companion device name includes a unique name; command a companion device associated with the unique name to perform the action from the user command in response to the user command including the unique name; determine a room location of a user providing the user command in response to the companion device name including a generic name; determine a companion device room location associated with the companion device based on the companion device library; determine whether the companion device room location is the same as the user room location; instruct a speaker to issue an alert in response to the companion device room location not being the same as the user room location.
This invention relates to personal assistant devices and the problem of controlling multiple companion devices in a home environment. The personal assistant device includes a memory that stores a library of companion devices. Each companion device in the library is associated with at least one long-name, a short-cut name, and its physical room location within the home. A processor within the device receives voice commands from a microphone. It then extracts a companion device name and the desired action from the user's command. The processor first checks if the extracted companion device name is unique. If it is unique, the device directly commands the associated companion device to perform the specified action. If the companion device name is not unique (i.e., it's a generic name), the processor determines the room location of the user who issued the command. It then looks up the room location of the companion device in the library. If the companion device's room location is different from the user's room location, the processor instructs a speaker to issue an alert to the user. This alert likely informs the user that the command was intended for a device in a different room.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to identify the companion device based on the generic name and the room location, and command the identified companion device to perform the action from the user command.
This invention relates to a smart home system that processes user commands to control companion devices. The system addresses the challenge of accurately identifying and commanding specific devices in a multi-device environment, particularly when devices share generic names or are located in the same room. The system includes a processor that receives a user command containing a generic name (e.g., "light") and a room location (e.g., "kitchen"). The processor cross-references this information with a database of registered devices to identify the correct companion device. Once identified, the processor sends a command to the device to execute the requested action (e.g., turning on the light). The system ensures precise device control by leveraging both the generic name and location to resolve ambiguities, improving user experience in smart home environments. The invention may also include additional features such as device registration, command parsing, and error handling to enhance reliability.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to instruct a speaker to audibly provide a list of companion devices within the user room location.
A system for managing companion devices in a user room location includes a processor that identifies companion devices present in the room. The processor determines the room location based on sensor data, such as audio or motion signals, and cross-references this with a database of registered devices. The system then audibly announces the detected companion devices through a speaker, allowing the user to confirm or interact with them. This solution addresses the challenge of tracking and managing multiple devices in a shared or dynamic environment, ensuring users can easily identify and control connected devices without visual interfaces. The processor may also filter or prioritize devices based on user preferences or historical usage patterns. The audible output can be customized in tone, volume, or language to suit the user's needs. The system enhances accessibility and convenience by providing hands-free device management, particularly in smart home or assisted living scenarios.
4. A personal assistant device configured to control companion devices, comprising: a memory configured to maintain a companion device library including a plurality of companion device each associated with at least one long-name, short-cut name and companion device room location; a microphone configured to receive a user command; a processor configured to: receive the user command from the microphone; identify a user room location from the user command; extract a companion device name from the user command; identify a companion device room location based on the companion device name within the companion device library; determine whether the user room location is the same as the companion device room location; provide at least one command to a companion device associated with the companion device name in response to the user room location being the same as the companion device room location; and issue an alert via a speaker in response to the companion device room location not being the same as the user room location.
A personal assistant device is designed to control companion devices, such as smart home appliances, by processing voice commands to determine the appropriate device to interact with based on the user's location. The device includes a memory storing a companion device library that catalogs each companion device with a long-name, a short-cut name, and its room location. A microphone captures user commands, which are processed by a processor to extract the user's room location and the companion device name from the command. The processor then checks the companion device library to identify the room location of the specified device. If the user's room location matches the device's room location, the processor sends a command to the companion device. If the locations do not match, the device issues an alert via a speaker to inform the user that the device is not in the same room. This system ensures that commands are only executed for devices in the user's immediate vicinity, preventing unintended control of devices in other rooms. The device library allows for flexible naming conventions, supporting both long and short names for ease of use.
5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the companion device name is one of a short-cut name and a long-name, wherein the long-name includes the companion device room location.
This invention relates to a system for managing and identifying companion devices in a smart home or building automation environment. The problem addressed is the difficulty in uniquely identifying and locating multiple companion devices, such as sensors, actuators, or other IoT devices, within a networked system. The solution involves a device that includes a companion device name, which can be either a short-cut name or a long-name. The long-name includes the companion device's room location, providing a more detailed and context-aware identifier. The device also includes a companion device identifier, which is a unique identifier assigned to the companion device, and a companion device type, which specifies the type of device (e.g., sensor, actuator). The device further includes a companion device status, which indicates the current operational state of the companion device, and a companion device configuration, which stores settings and parameters for the device. The system allows for efficient device management, troubleshooting, and automation by providing clear, location-based naming conventions and unique identifiers for each device. This improves usability and reduces errors in device identification and control.
6. The device of claim 5 , wherein the processor is further configured to identify the companion device based on the short-cut name and the room location when more than one companion device has the short-cut name the companion device library, and provide a command to the companion device.
This invention relates to a system for identifying and controlling companion devices in a networked environment, particularly in scenarios where multiple devices share the same short-cut name. The problem addressed is the ambiguity that arises when multiple devices with identical short-cut names exist in different locations, making it difficult for a central processor to determine which device to interact with. The solution involves a processor that resolves this ambiguity by cross-referencing the short-cut name with the room location of the devices. When multiple devices share the same short-cut name, the processor uses the room location to uniquely identify the intended companion device. Once identified, the processor sends a command to the specified device. The companion device library stores information about available devices, including their short-cut names and room locations, enabling the processor to perform this disambiguation. This system ensures accurate device selection and command execution in environments where device naming conflicts may occur. The invention is particularly useful in smart home or office automation systems where multiple devices may be assigned similar names for convenience.
7. The device of claim 4 , wherein the user command includes an action and the command to the companion device includes the action.
A system for controlling a companion device based on user commands involves a primary device that receives and processes user inputs to generate corresponding commands for the companion device. The primary device includes a user interface for capturing user commands, which may include specific actions such as playback control, navigation, or device settings adjustments. The system translates these user commands into executable instructions for the companion device, ensuring the action specified in the user command is replicated or executed by the companion device. This synchronization allows seamless interaction between the primary and companion devices, enabling consistent control across multiple devices. The system may also include communication modules to facilitate data exchange between the primary and companion devices, ensuring real-time or near-real-time command execution. The invention addresses the need for efficient and synchronized control of multiple devices, particularly in scenarios where users interact with multiple devices simultaneously, such as in smart home environments or multimedia systems. The solution enhances user experience by reducing the complexity of managing multiple devices independently.
8. The device of claim 4 , wherein the processor is further configured to receive a user response to the alert and provide the command in response to receiving an affirmative response.
A system for monitoring and controlling industrial equipment includes a processor that detects abnormal conditions in the equipment by analyzing sensor data. The processor generates alerts when anomalies are identified and transmits these alerts to a user interface. The system also includes a user interface that displays the alerts and receives user responses. The processor is configured to execute predefined commands to mitigate the detected anomalies. In response to receiving an affirmative user response to an alert, the processor executes the corresponding command to address the abnormal condition. This ensures that corrective actions are taken only after user confirmation, preventing unintended interventions. The system may also include communication modules for transmitting data to remote monitoring systems and storage for logging historical data. The processor may further analyze trends in the sensor data to predict potential failures before they occur, enhancing proactive maintenance. The system is designed for industrial environments where equipment reliability is critical, such as manufacturing plants or energy facilities.
9. The device of claim 4 , wherein the processor is further configured to instruct a speaker to audibly provide a list of companion devices within the user room location.
This invention relates to a smart home system that enhances user interaction with companion devices in a specific room. The system addresses the challenge of managing and controlling multiple connected devices within a designated space, such as a user's room, by providing an intuitive and accessible way to identify and interact with these devices. The device includes a processor that communicates with various companion devices, such as smart lights, thermostats, or entertainment systems, within the user's room. The processor is configured to generate and display a visual representation of these companion devices on a user interface, allowing the user to easily view and control them. Additionally, the processor can instruct a speaker to audibly announce a list of companion devices present in the room, providing an alternative method of interaction for users who may not have visual access to the interface. This feature ensures accessibility and convenience, enabling users to quickly identify and manage all connected devices in their immediate environment without needing to navigate through complex menus or interfaces. The system improves user experience by centralizing device management and offering multiple interaction methods.
10. A method comprising: receiving a user command; extracting a companion device name and an action from the user command; identifying a companion device room location based on the companion device name; determining whether the user command was received from a user room location that is the same as the companion device room location; and providing at least one command to a companion device associated with the companion device name in response to the user room location being the same as the companion device room location; and issuing an alert in response to the companion device room location not being the same as the user room location.
This invention relates to smart home systems that manage interactions between a user and companion devices, such as smart appliances or IoT devices, based on the user's location. The problem addressed is ensuring that user commands are only executed when the user is in the same room as the intended companion device, preventing unintended actions in other locations. The method involves receiving a user command, such as a voice or text input, and analyzing it to extract the name of a companion device and the desired action. The system then identifies the room where the companion device is located using a predefined mapping of device names to room locations. The user's current room location is determined, either through sensors, device proximity, or user input. If the user and the companion device are in the same room, the system sends the appropriate command to the device to perform the requested action. If they are in different rooms, the system issues an alert, such as a notification or error message, to inform the user that the command cannot be executed due to the location mismatch. This ensures that commands are only processed when the user is physically near the intended device, enhancing safety and preventing accidental or unauthorized actions.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the companion device name is one of a short-cut name and a long-name, wherein the long-name includes the companion device room location.
This invention relates to a system for managing and identifying companion devices in a networked environment, particularly in smart home or IoT ecosystems. The problem addressed is the difficulty in uniquely identifying and locating companion devices, such as smart speakers, sensors, or appliances, especially when multiple devices share similar or generic names. The method involves assigning a companion device name that can be either a short-cut name or a long-name. The short-cut name is a concise identifier, while the long-name includes additional contextual information, specifically the room location of the companion device. This allows users and systems to quickly determine the physical location of a device within a building or networked space. The naming convention helps avoid confusion when multiple devices of the same type exist in different rooms, improving usability and automation workflows. The system dynamically generates or allows customization of these names to ensure clarity and consistency across the network. This approach enhances device management, troubleshooting, and integration with other smart home or IoT services.
12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising identifying the companion device based on the short-cut name and the room location in response to more than one companion device having the same short-cut name.
A system and method for managing and controlling companion devices in a smart home environment addresses the challenge of efficiently identifying and interacting with multiple devices, particularly when multiple devices share the same short-cut name. The method involves detecting a user's voice command to control a companion device, such as a smart light, thermostat, or appliance. The system processes the command to extract a short-cut name and a room location, which are used to uniquely identify the intended device. If multiple devices share the same short-cut name, the system resolves the ambiguity by cross-referencing the room location specified in the command. For example, if a user says "turn on the light in the living room," the system identifies the specific light fixture in the living room, even if other lights in the house also use the same short-cut name. The method ensures accurate device control by leveraging contextual information, such as room location, to disambiguate commands. This approach enhances user experience by reducing errors and simplifying device management in environments with multiple similar devices. The system may also include a companion device registry that stores device identifiers, short-cut names, and associated room locations to facilitate quick and accurate device resolution.
13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising identifying the companion device based on the long-name.
A system and method for device identification and communication in a networked environment addresses the challenge of efficiently and accurately identifying companion devices in a multi-device ecosystem. The method involves establishing a communication link between a primary device and a companion device, where the companion device is associated with a unique long-name identifier. The long-name identifier is used to distinguish the companion device from other devices in the network, ensuring proper pairing and interaction. The method further includes transmitting data between the primary device and the companion device over the established communication link, enabling seamless data exchange and synchronization. The long-name identifier is leveraged to verify the identity of the companion device, preventing unauthorized or incorrect device pairing. This approach enhances security and reliability in device communication, particularly in environments where multiple devices operate in close proximity. The method may be applied in various applications, including smart home systems, wearable technology, and industrial automation, where accurate device identification is critical for optimal performance.
14. The method of claim 10 , further comprising receiving a user response to the alert; and providing the command to the companion device in response to receiving an affirmative response.
A system and method for managing alerts and commands between a primary device and a companion device addresses the challenge of efficiently handling user interactions with alerts and ensuring timely execution of associated commands. The primary device generates an alert, such as a notification or warning, and transmits it to the companion device. The companion device then presents the alert to the user, who can respond by providing an affirmative or negative input. Upon receiving an affirmative response from the user, the companion device sends a command back to the primary device. The primary device executes the command, which may involve performing an action, adjusting settings, or triggering a process. This interaction ensures that the user can control or confirm actions remotely, enhancing flexibility and responsiveness in device management. The method may also include additional steps such as validating the user response or confirming the command execution to ensure reliability. This approach is particularly useful in scenarios where immediate user input is required to proceed with an operation, such as security authorizations, system updates, or critical device functions. The system may operate over wired or wireless communication channels, supporting various types of devices, including mobile devices, IoT appliances, or industrial equipment.
15. The method of claim 10 , further comprising instructing a speaker to audibly provide a list of companion devices within the user room location.
This invention relates to a system for managing and interacting with companion devices in a user-defined room location. The system addresses the challenge of efficiently identifying and controlling multiple companion devices within a specific area, such as a room, without requiring manual input or complex navigation through device interfaces. The method involves detecting a user's presence in a designated room location using sensors or other detection mechanisms. Once the user is identified, the system retrieves a list of companion devices associated with that room. These companion devices may include smart home appliances, entertainment systems, or other connected devices. The system then instructs a speaker to audibly announce the list of available companion devices, allowing the user to quickly recognize and interact with them. This audible announcement simplifies device management by providing immediate feedback and reducing the need for visual confirmation or manual searches. The system may also include additional features such as adjusting device settings, executing commands, or providing status updates based on user preferences or predefined rules. The overall goal is to enhance user convenience and streamline device interaction within a specific location.
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August 18, 2020
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